Memphis, Tennessee, death metallers Ritual Fog are unleashing their unique debut album upon the world!
Formed in 2021, Ritual Fog are joining the new breed of bands, bringing back the old school-influenced death metal sound. Their first release, the EP ” Visions of Blasphemy”, quickly turned heads as one of the most fresh & dynamic of the genre to be released in 2022.
Now joining forces with Transcending Obscurity Records, the band is releasing their debut full-length “But Merely Flesh. Nine tracks of punishing thrash-influenced death metal.
Beginning the album “Misticism” is a great eerie synth piece that gets the hairs on your arms standing to attention & ready for what’s to come. The band blast into “Desolate Chasm” with a ten-ton swing. A great mid-paced Stompin riff takes charge in a Bolt Thrower-esque feel with a kinda unmatchable swagger. The track’s production feels perfect for the band’s sound. Riding that line is raw & aggressive but has great clarity.
“Slimeblade” really does feel like its namesake, this dirgy, swampy track gives me exactly what I want from Death Metal: Harrowing & painful screams from guitarist/vocalist Ian Younkin that feel fresh. Going from an anguished scream to a higher register thrash style screech, his vocal changes to fit the riff or even the song’s texture. In conjunction with guitarist Spencer Martin, the pair have written some of my favourite heavy, slow-lumbering riffs this year, but they also know when to pick up that thrashing style speed to keep the song’s dynamics fresh & still action-packed.
If you love it slow, low & hard as fuck “Demented Procession” is for you. This track is a stand-on album for me, a nice middle album track that right from the opening note has you headbanging hard as hell with its epic lead riff that morphs into a mid-paced chugging groove before the band unleashes into the next section of the track. Increasing the speed but still keeping that hypnotic headbanging riffing style, this one grabs you from its opening to its last second. Proper belter this one.
The album’s title track and closer, “But Merely Flesh,” is still keeping the energy high and fierce. Feeling like the perfect melding of the chaos of Asphyx and the technical Florida sound of Malevolent Creation, this track keeps its pace fast and hard. As it leads to its bridge, Younkin has a moment to shine with some hard-as-hell lyrics before the band rejoins him to level the building to the ground.
This closer is also a true testament to drummer Andrew Hobday & bassist Jon Clark, who has been a tight backbone to the album. While keeping his drumming very organic & sometimes more “simple”, giving the track room to breathe, he also has great flourishing moments as well as Clark, whose thick & punchy bass tone cuts through the mix but also works with the guitars to create this even heavier sound to give the whole album this great push & more natural feel.
“But Merely Flesh” is a truly fantastic debut album. Filled to the brim with some of the catchiest songs of 2024. Great performances from a new band like this don’t happen very often. So it’s great to hear an album full to the brim with fantastic moments & memorable pieces of music. If you love your death metal meaty, hard as nails & with a sprinkling of filth, this one is gonna be right up your alley!
Review: Joseph Mitchell
But Merely Flesh is out via Transcending Obscurity Records on 29th November 2024.
Track Listing –
1. Misticism
2.Desolate Chasm
3.Slimeblade
4.Nocturnal Suffering
5.Demented Procession
6.Fog Sermon
7.Carnal Pain
8.Sentient Chamber
9.But Merely Flesh
Line up –
Ian Younkin – Vocals / Guitar
Andrew Hobday – Drums
Spencer Martin – Guitar
Jon Clark – Bass
Artwork by Juanjo Castellano Rosado
Official Video Stream #2
Ritual Fog Bandcamp
Official Transcending Obscurity Site
Transcending Obscurity Facebook
Ritual Fog Facebook
Official Label YouTube Channel
Label US Store